Pood waste disposer with improved cover



y 13, 1955 w. G. PEYER ETAL 3,194,503

FOOD WASTE DISPOSER WITH IMPROVED COVER Filed May 21, 1963 United States Patent 3,194,503 F001) WASTE DISPQSER WITH IMPRQVED COVER Wilbur G. Peyer, St. Paul, and Charles R. Lopp, White Bear Lake, MIIHL, assignors to Whirlpool Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed May 21, 1963, Ser. No. 281,;1tl 10 Claims. (Cl. 24132.'5)

This invention relates to Waste disp-osers and in particular to cover devices for use with such dispose-rs.

In one conventional form of food waste disposer, a housing is provided defining a grinding chamber. A yieldable splash guard is secured in the housing to extend across the chamber adjacent the upper end thereof and prevent backsplash resulting from a grinding of the Waste material during a disposal operation. Extending upwardly from the splash guard is a housing extension which defines the upper end of the housing means.

The present invention comprehend-s a new and improved cover device arranged for selectively closing the upper end of the housing extension. Thus, a principal feature of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved cover device for use in a waste disposer.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such a cover device having new and improved plunger means for facilitating the movement of the waste material downwardly through the splash guard and into the grinding chamber therebelow.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of such a cover device wherein the plunger means is arranged to define a scraper for facilitated scraping of Waste material into the disposer.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of such a Waste disposer wherein the plunger means is arranged to be disposed normally within the housing and extending through the splash guard when the disposer is not in use.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of such a waste disposer having new and improved means for supporting the cover device on the upper end of the housing,

Yet another feature of the invention is the provision of such a waste disposer arranged for facilitated closing of the upper end of the housing to prevent material from flying out of the disposer during the grinding operation, with the plunger means being disposed externally of the housing.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a diametric section of the upper portion of a waste disposer provided with a cover device ernbodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a diametric section similar to that of FIGURE 1, but with the cover device arranged as during a disposal operation;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the cover device;

FIGURE 4 is a bottom plan view to the cover device; and

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of a modified form of cover device embodying the invention.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in FIGURES 1 through 4 of the drawing, a cover device generally designated is provided for removably closing the upper end 11 of an upper housing extension 12 of a waste disposer generally designated 13. The waste disposer is of generally conventional construction having a lower tubular housing portion 14 defining a grinding chamber 15 and a yield-able splash guard 16 on tending across the upper end 17 of the grinding chamher. The upper housing extension 12 and the lower housing portion 14 are maintained in coaxial secured relationship by means of a pair of rings 18 and 19 and suitable cooperating screws 20 and 21. As best seen in FIGURE 1, the upper housing portion 12 defines an entrance chamber 24 directly above the splash guard 16 and through which waste material is directed to pass downwardly through the splash guard into the grinding chamber 15 for disposal by suitable grinding means therein (not shown).

The present invention comprehends an improved cover 10 formed of a suitable material, herein rubber. The cover includes a transversely extending closure portion 25 having a turned annular rim portion 26 having an outturned distal flange portion 27. Extending in one direction from the midportion of the closure portion 25 is a handle 28 and extending in the opposite direction from the mid-portion is a plunger 29 comprising a fiat bladelike element having a distal edge 30. The juncture of the plunger 29 with the closure portion 25 is reinforced by means of suitable triangular webs 31. The outer surface of the rim 26 is serrated to define a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs 32 which provide an effectively positive grip with the end portion 11 of the upper housing 12 when the cover is installed with the plunger 29 extending downwardly, as :shown in FIGURE 1. The upper housing portion 12 is further provided with an outturned annular flange 33 on which the flange 27 of the cover seats when the cover is so disposed.

As best seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, the flange 27 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed raised portions 34 and a pair of diametrically opposed raised portions 36 which coact with the outturned flange 33 of the housing extension 12 when the cover is disposed on the housing portion 12 in an inverted postion, as shown in FIGURE 2, to raise flange 27 above flange 33 to allow water to pass therebetween into the grinding chamber to aid in grinding. In thi arrangement, the plunger 25% extends upwardly from the disposer and the cover serves effectively to preclude throwing out of material from the disposer during the grinding operation.

In use, the cover 10 may be readily removed from the disposer-closing position of FIGURE 1. In removing the cover, the user merely grasps the handle 28 which is exposed uppermost and lifts the cover upwardly from the disposer. In moving upwardly the blade-like plunger portion 29 passes through the slits 35 of the splash guard through which the plunger extends in the disposer-closing position. With the cover removed, access is provided to the grinding chamber 15 through the upper entrance chamber 24. To facilitate the movement of the waste material. downwardly through the splash guard, the plunger 29 may be used to press the waste material downwardly through the slot-ted opening of the splash guard into chamber .15. Alternatively, the plunger 29 may be inserted into the slits 35 and rotated about the vertical axis of the disposer to open the slits and permit the waste material to pass downwardly int-o chamber 15.

The flat blade-like plunger 29 further functions as a spatula, or scraper, for scraping waste material into the disposer. For this purpose the distal edge 30 of the plunger is made to be substantially straight so that a flat area may be scraped by movement of the plunger edge thereover. The handle 28 provides facilitated grasping of the cover during such a scraping operation, as well as during the forcing of the waste material downwardly through the splash guard 16 and/or the opening of the splash guard slits 35 by rotating the plunger in the slits thereof.

ing closure of the waste disposer.

restores the cover to the disposition of FIGURE 1 by' inserting the plunger portion 29 downwardly through the slits 35 of the splash guard and forcing the rib portion 32 of the closure into engagement with the upper end wall portion 11 of the housing extension 12. Thus, an effective flush arrangement of the cover is provided in the non-operating arrangement of the disposer.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, a modified form of cover generally designated 110 is shown. Cover 110 is generally similar to cover 16, except that the plunger portion 129 thereof extends laterally outwardly from the flange portion 127 of the closure rather than perpendicularly from the mid-portion 125 thereof. The plunger 129 is substantially identical to the plunger 29 and functions in a similar manner in forcing waste material downwardly through the splash guard, in opening the slots of the splash guard to .permit the waste material to fall therethrough, and in use as a spatula or scraper in scraping the material into the disposer. In all other respects the cover 119 is similar to and functions in a similar manner to cover 10. In the illustration of cover 119, portions thereof identical to corresponding portions of cover 19 are identified by similar reference numerals, but one hundred higher.

Covers and 114) provide an improved positive seal- By facilitated simple manipulation thereof, the covers may be employed for scraping the waste material into the disposer and for causing the Waste material to pass downwardly into the grinding chamber. The coversare extremely simple and economical in construction and may be readily maintained.

While we have shown and described certain embodiments of our invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a waste disposer provided with a housing defining a grinding chamber and having an upper end, and a splash guard maintained across the chamber adjacent said upper end, said splash guard normally closing said chamber and being yieldably openable to pass material there through into said chamber, a cover device comprising: a closure arranged to extend removably across said upper end to close said chamber above said splash guard; and

plunger means projecting from said closure for selectively 41. comprising: a closure arranged to extend removably across said upper end to close said chamber above said splash guard; plunger means projecting from said closure for selectively opening said splash guard to cause material to pass downwardly therethrough; and handle means on said closure extending oppositely to said plunger means.

6. In a waste disposer provided with a housing defining a grinding chamber and having an upperend, and a yieldable splash guard maintained across the chamber adjacent said upper end, said splash guard normally closing said chamber and being yieldably openable to pass material therethrough into said chamber, a cover device comprising: a closure arranged to extend removably transversely across said upper end to close said chamber above said splash guard; and plunger means projecting from said. closure perpendicular to the transverse extent of the closure for selectively opening said splash guard to cause material to pass downwardly therethrough.

7. In a waste disposer provided with a housing defining a grinding chamber and having an upper end, and a yieldable splash guard maintained across the chamber adjacent said upper end, said splash guard normally closing said chamber and being yieldably openable to pass material therethrough into said chamber, a cover device comprising: a closure arranged to extend removably trans versely across said upper end to close said chamber above said splash guard; and plungermeans projecting from said closure substantially parallel to the transverse extent of the closure for selectively opening said splash guard to cause material to pass downwardly therethrough.

8. In a waste disposer provided with a housing defining a grinding chamber and having an upper end, and a yieldable splash guard maintained across the chamber adjacent said upper end, said splash guard normally closing said chamber and being yieldably openable to pass material therethrough into said chamber, a cover device comprising: a closure arranged to. extend across said chamber;

opening said splash guard to cause material to pass downwardly therethrough.

2. The waste disposer of claim 1 wherein said plunger means comprises a fiat bladelike element having a distal edge defining a scraper for scraping material into said chamber.

3. The waste disposer of claim 1 wherein saidplunger means on said closure for removably supporting the same on said upper end to .close said chamber above said splash guard; and plunger means projecting from said closure selectively opening said splash guard to cause material to pass downwardly therethrough, said plunger means being arranged to extend downwardly through said splash guard when said supporting means is disposed on said upper end.

9'. The waste disposer of claim 8 wherein supporting means includes a portion removably engageable with said upper end of the housing for supporting said closure with said plunger extending upwardly therefrom, said closure effectively closing the upper end of the housing to preclude throwing out of material therefrom.

16. In a waste disposer provided with a housing defining a grinding chamber and having an upper end, and a splash guard maintained across the chamber adjacent said upper end, said splash guard normally closing said chamber and being yieldably openable to pass material therethrough into said chamber, a cover device comprising: means extending removably across the upper end of the grinding chamber for closing said chamber above said splash guard; and means carried by said closure projecting V substantially therefrom defining a handle for manipulation of said closure and having a distalportion selectively engage-able with the splash guard for selectively opening the splash guard.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,244,402 6/41 Powers 241-325 2,477,686 8/49 Coss 24132.5 XR 2,588,182 3/52 Van Ranst 241-325 2,670,143 2/54 Jordan 241-301 2,834,554 5/58 Bebinger 241-4005 J. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner: 

1. IN A WASTE DISPOSER PROVIDED WITH A HOUSING DEFINING A GRINDING CHAMBER AND HAVING AN UPPER END, AND A SPLASH GUARD MAINTAINED ACROSS THE CHAMBER ADJACENT SAID UPPER END, SAID SPLASH NORMALLY CLOSING SAID CHAMBER AND BEING YIELDABLE OPENABLE TO PASS MATERIAL THERETHROUGH INTO SAID CHAMBER, A COVER DEVICE COMPRISING: A CLOSURE ARRANGED TO EXTEND REMOVABLY ACROSS SAID UPPER END TO CLOSE SAID CHAMBER ABOVE SAID SPLASH GUARD; SAID PLUNGER MEANS PROJECTING FROM SAID CLOSURE FOR SELECTIVELY OPENING SAID SPLASH GUARD TO CAUSE MATERIAL TO PASS DOWNWARDLY THERETHROUGH. 